Joint naval drills organized annually between Iran, Russia and China will start on Monday in the southeastern Iranian port of Chabahar, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.
The three countries, which share a common desire to counter what they characterize as American hegemony, have held similar exercises in the region in recent years.
"Warships and combat and support vessels of the Chinese and Russian naval forces, as well as the warships of Iran's naval forces of the army and the Revolutionary Guards,” the ideological arm of Iran's military, are expected to participate, according to Tasnim.
The exercises will take place "in the northern Indian Ocean" and aim to "strengthen security in the region, and expand multilateral cooperation between participating countries,” Tasnim said.
China will deploy "a destroyer and a supply ship,” Beijing's defense ministry said on the WeChat social media network.
The Iranian army conducted drills in the same area in February to "strengthen defense capabilities against any threat.”
